Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 83%
Simulated
The nurse is preparing to administer eardrops to an infant. The nurse should plan to proceed by taking which step to assure the appropriate instillation of the medication?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The infant should be turned on the side with the affected ear uppermost. With the nondominant hand, the nurse pulls down and back on the auricle. The wrist of the dominant hand is rested on the infant's head. The medication is administered by aiming it at the wall of the ear canal rather than directly onto the eardrum. The infant should be held or positioned with the affected ear uppermost for 10 to 15 minutes to retain the solution. In the adult, the auricle is pulled up and back to straighten the auditory canal.